GCSEs 2018 (12) Are we nearly there yet?!

[mmzz]

Yep - I'm on there - having critiqued this thread (before I was a regular poster) for being OTT etc - but then I have previously fessed up about my past indiscretions (I think I came clean on thread 9 or 10 I think) and have fully atoned for my former prejudices and mistakes

DD's feedback on geography was that there were more 6 mark Qs than she was expecting, because she thought there would be more shorter ones about graphs and diagrams, but "It was good".

Meanwhile I'm delighted to report that we are on the final page of DD's Individual Candidate Timetable. 21 down and a mere 5 left to go. DD is being nagged by her HoY for a draft of her head girl/head boy speech for their leaving assembly. She has told him that she has started it, but is more worried about her GCSEs at the moment. That's told him!

This thread has really restored my faith in mumsnet. Therehave been so many threads recently where posters have done their utmost to pick fault with others. This one by contrast is so supportive of everyone regardless of their approach v

Yes, ds surprised that there were a lot of longer questions too sticker

Sounds like a good day all round! 6 exams remaining for ds, but with the exception of Chemistry, these are in his comfort zone, so he is very much more relaxed!

@hmcAsWas - ah you're more than forgiven. I got myself in trouble a while back for admitting to being cross at DS1 for missing an A star in French last year. Someone pounced right on for me for that one and one of you lovely ladies defended me.

Actually I'm assuming we're all ladies? I've seen no evidence of Dads or Grandads here but I should assume these things.

@AlexanderHamilton - yes I like this thread for being mutually supportive as well. Even when we disagree we agree to disagree and keep charter my.

Uh? Keeping chatting. That'll teach me to Mumsnet on a packed commuter train.

Thanks Sandy - I thought I might have to stand in a corner facing the wall

Yes I remember that - I think it was mmzz who defended you

I like this thread for the same reasons - acceptance and mutual understanding (which I didn't 'get' when I first visited it a few months ago). Its very different to the rest of the board where it can get quite combative

Thank you again to @mmzz for being my supporter. It's nice to be part of a (mutually supportive) gang

hmcAsWas Its not a problem. You've been a great member of these threads, and it wouldn't be the same without you! I hope you stick around for the next couple of years until our DC fly the nest and we have to watch them go.

sandybayley I thought you were in the right!

Thanks mmzz - I plan to stick around, I've grown rather fond of everyone!

It’s like having an antenatal club all over again.

2020 has a lot to live up to.

I think I have been on the thread for about 6 months and it seems like a lifetime...I still share a friendship group with my Babycentre birth month group from when I was pregnant over 16 years ago - its nice to share the milestones including GCSE exams...especially when you only have one child and you are also a "single parent".

DS tells me Geography went well. Not 9 well, but well. he only knows of one marked that he definitely didn't get. However, all that means is that he's in a good place for the examiner to start deducting marks because "I know what you meant" does not cut it in Geography. (It has taken DS a while to come to terms with that!).

He said Biology went well. Again, only 1 mark he is certain that he didn't get.
If he does well in Biology, it will be a victory for Tassomai because he did a past paper over the Easter holidays and got it back 50 days ago today and he got somewhere around 60% (he was forecast a 9, soa bit of a drop). I signed him up to Tassomai that afternoon, and he's been using it ever since (that's how I know it was 50 days ago - the tassomai dashboard tells me).

With a lot of effort (8300 questions answered so far), he got up to 70-80% progress on each paper across all 3 sciences.

I'm writing all this down so that if someone googles Tassomai and reads these posts in future years, they'll be able to assess the effort versus outcome ratio when DS gets his results. He's hoping to get 8s in science, so we'll see what happens.

I keep getting lost to who everyone is. We need like a little family tree/glossary saying whether we have ds/dd, other siblings, next step, proposed a levels etc so we can refer back!!!

Sandy I don't think you can assume anything unless you want a whole GCSE-trans-takeover of the thread!

Alex how did tap go? DH update?

hmc We encourage positive parenting around here, so nobody is allowed to stand in the corner.

Cheers Sticker

"It’s like having an antenatal club all over again." - it is, isn't it Alexander

We were late to Tassomai but dd has nevertheless found it helpful (and only regrets that we didn't join up sooner) - I've told ds that he will be signed up from September, Y11. He seems game.

Ds was happy with how his tap exam went thank you.

Dh has had his scan. He’s feeling fine but tired i think the medication is knocking him
about.

I’m glad I heard about Tassomai on here too. It’s helped Dd so much.

TBH, hmc, you were speaking a lot of sense on that thread and were by no means advocating complete hands off, except tongue in cheek!

This thread has been very supportive, so let's not lower the tone by slagging off those with different approaches. Even if they slagged this thread off. Let's not stoop...

DS3 said AQA triple biology was mostly fairly easy but knows he missed a couple of marks because he couldn't remember a few facts here and there. Despite Tassomai!

Only 3 exams left here.

Reservoir Dogs ok, here is my entry:

DC doing GCSEs: __DS1
Other DC:DS2 (year 9)
A level intentions: Maths, FM, Physics & Economics
Current school:State Comprehensive
Sixth form:__Selective sixth form (subject to grades)
SEN:__Dysgraphia
Other info:___Shy, good at maths

I forgot one!

Last exam:Physics (on Friday)

Alexander well done DS and glad DH is OK if tired.
DS has had his first exam-related injuries - sore arm from writing and back ache from being hunched over his exam script. He better get a good grade in geography!
I really am so glad I got involved with these threads. I think I started posting because some of the dcs were stressed about English but also because it was just so nice to be able to share our experiences. And especially thanks for the sympathy over the art exam - I was able to see the funny side once everything was handed in!
Suspect we'll have a collective hangover of relief next Monday!